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New York City can be a cold and hard place, but you can find warmth and beauty even on the darkest, coldest winter day. If you visit New York
between Thanksgiving and New Years, here are the top five things you simply must see and do:

Rockefeller Center — A magical holiday experience if ever there was one, this place can inspire the same awe one might feel upon seeing the Sistine Chapel for the first time. The holiday spirit shines in the glow of the Christmas tree. There is better place in all the world to experience Christmas spirit. Rock Center indulges your every sense to its fullest. Never mind the crowds, this is a must.

The store displays along Fifth Avenue — Even during hard economic times, retailers in New York pull out all the stops in creating artful window displays. Walk along Fifth between 57th and 34th on either side of the street and explore amazing creations. Be sure to take pictures because these creations will be gone forever when the season ends. If you’re walking in a downtown direction, turn right at 34th and go a block or two to Macy’s. If you’re walking uptown, turn right at 57th and check out Bloomingdale’s, plus a lot of beautiful shops on 57th.

Central Park — Everyone knows the ice skating rink is gorgeous, but my favorite view is from Strawberry Fields. It’s wide open and nothing compares if there is snow.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art — If the weather is really crummy, spend an entire day here. There are a lot of museums in New York, but this one has it all — from modern art all the way back to ancient Egypt.

Greenwich Village and Soho — Though it is now rather pedestrian and “touristy,” this remains a great neighborhood to explore. You can always warm up by ducking into a little cafe for a coffee or libation. Funky and quaint little shops abound. You really can’t go wrong.

Many other attractions wonderful winter attractions exist, but the above five should keep you busy for a few days. If you visit between January and March, replace the first two items on the list with:

The Theatre District — In harsh weather, you can kill a lot of time seeing incredible productions. After the show, head on over to Restaurant Row and indulge in some tasty food and drink.

The Breakers — Head way uptown on a snowy day. This place will astound you with its beauty.